Byleth felt odd, not because of her new powers, but rather the attention she was being given because of it. Sure some people were stating the obvious such as her hair and eye color change and how strange it was. However, she wasn't aware of the more religious sort following her about and asking her about the Goddess constantly. What did she look like? What did she say to you? Has she come to save us all? It was all intimidating, and while she had gained Sothis' powers she truly didn't feel all too different. She was definitely stronger and her appearance was vastly changed, seemingly permanently, but she really didn't feel like a Goddess, nor did she like the comparison.

Rhea's interactions with Byleth made her the most unnerved. She remembered what her father said when she first decided to teach the students at the Officer's Academy, Jeralt whispered to her, "And…watch out for Lady Rhea. I don't know what she's thinking, making you a professor like this. She may be up to something. Stay on your guard." At first she took his words to heart, but Rhea with all her charm and almost mother-like behavior to Byleth, made Byleth relax and simultaneously lose her guard. Now, with everything that had happened to her, Rhea was disarmingly attached to Byleth, asking where she was at all hours of the day and being pulled into her room in order for Rhea to 'admire' her. She thought of her father's words in his diary, he had at one time thought the world of Lady Rhea, but now or rather his own thoughts changed after Byleth's birth. He was terrified of her and, she had to admit, Byleth was terrified too.

Their mission to go into the Holy Tomb felt completely out of the blue and to receive the divine revelation there as well? She was feeling like she was being used by a religious organization. Sure, she was the Professor at said religious school, but to be used as a pawn, just because the power of the Goddess was hers? She didn't like it one bit. Now, more than ever did she desire to be a normal girl.

She sat alone in the Dining Hall noticing the veiled whispers around her. It was dinner time, and the evening sky was littered with beautiful starlight. Byleth was aware of what the students were saying behind her back. There was the usual 'her hair and eyes changed color' and 'it's a blessing from the Goddess' but now there was something more troubling she could hear.

"Is it true that Sylvain and the Professor are hooking up?"

"I heard that she and Sylvain have a secret love affair."

"So scandalous! I thought his father had arranged a marriage for him back in the Gautier region."

"I'm pretty sure that Sylvain is just doing this so he can pass in time for Graduation."

"So true, after all of the stunts he's pulled this year? He's complete garbage!"

"Poor Professor, too bad she's too enamoured with him to notice."

"He doesn't even deserve the woman blessed by the Goddess. After everything he's done."

Byleth shook her head, of course the students would think about all of this. It wasn't like Sylvain was hiding his affection for her anymore. Ever since the incident in the Sealed Forest, Sylvain was attached to her almost by the hip, though she really couldn't understand why. She didn't really have a memory of what happened other than suddenly falling asleep. After that she awakened to the sound of Rhea's song and her head resting in the Archbishop's lap. Nothing else would have alerted her to the sudden change in Sylvain. He was acting like they were already in a relationship when Byleth was still very unsure.

But why? Why would she be? Sylvain had more than proved himself in the several weeks after the ball. He never even entertained the thought of flirting with women, so much so that Ingrid was almost beside herself, growing so used to cleaning up his messes. Sylvain had even become more involved in his studies, so much so that Byleth watched as he practiced his Reason magic with Annette, determined to outwit her. And of course, whenever Byleth had her bouts of sadness or the days after her transformation, Sylvain would be at her side to comfort her or cheer her up with a silly smile or a pick-up line that made her groan in annoyance. Byleth was growing more attached to him by the day, so why was the idea that a much deeper connection frightened her? Was it fear of Sylvain leaving her? Was it the idea that he could do so much better than her?

No, she thought to herself, it was something else. Something deeper. She knew it was because she was scared of the strength of the emotion of love, and how it made her feel. It was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. Painful and pleasurable. Calm and exciting. The complexity of it all was trying on her. Byleth could barely register simpler emotions of happiness and anger, but love was so difficult. Her logical and emotional sides of her were at war with each other, and it was hard to tell what was real and what was not.

"Hello, By," She heard a sly voice sound off beside her. She watched as Sylvain sat down on her left with a Pheasant Roast. He had even gotten her a plate of the same dish, and a glass of water to drink. She took the dish and drink, but had barely smiled at him gratefully.

"Something eating at you, Byleth?" Sylvain asked as he started cutting into his dish.

"...People are talking…" Byleth muttered, picking at her food pitifully.

"Hmm? Yeah, they do that in the Dining Hall. People discussing the month's events, their social lives, girls they've dated, it happens." Sylvain chuckled a little bit, taking a bite of his food.

"...about you and me…" Byleth whispered.

Sylvain eyes glanced back at Byleth, a crooked grin forming on his face, "And? So? Let them, their words mean nothing to me."

Byleth huffed, "Yeah but what about me? What about how I feel about it, Sylvain? I didn't ask to be roped into this nonsense!"

Sylvain dropped his utensils on his plate, "What are you getting at, Byleth? I have no idea why you're acting like this? Did I do something wrong?"

Byleth glared at him, "You...you keep saying my name and showing your feelings to me out in public, people are suspicious and are creating rumors about you and me."

Sylvain was perplexed, "Well yeah, I care about you. Like you do me."

Byleth eyes quickly looked over the room, the students were talking to each other while staring at her and Sylvain, "Sylvain...they don't know that. They're spreading rumors about us."

"Why does that bother you?" Sylvain asked, a bit of venom was in his voice.

"I'm your Professor, it can be deemed inappropriate." Byleth spoke plainly.

"So? I know how you feel about me, you told me yourself. Why is this so bad?" Sylvain interrogated her.

Byleth growled, "Because I don't want anyone else to say bad things about you."

Sylvain scoffed, "As if I care, they've been saying bad things about me since I've gotten here. Maybe, my dear, it is you that is bothered about the rumors about yourself."

Byleth groaned, shoving her plate aside, "Sylvain Gautier! What are you getting at?"

Sylvain sighed shortly, "Ever since I've carried you back, you've been growing more distant. So tell me Byleth: what's going on with you?"

Byleth got up from her seat, taking her plate with her, "I don't like to be questioned about this when you should already know the answer, Gautier." Sylvain watched as she stormed out of the Dining Hall. He sat his head on his hand as it was propped up on the table. He was annoyed by Byleth's display. He knew better from experience to chase after a girl when they were this angry. He didn't understand it, how had he screwed things up so badly. He thought he had done everything right up until this point, but now he was confused and a bit disheartened. He really wanted to show Byleth all of the love he had for her. Perhaps she was intimidated by it all, she had never had any romantic relationships before him. However, for her to react so violently was a bit out of character.

"Tsk tsk, well that was quite the scene," Claude spoke as he sat across the way, his own plate of Beast Meat Teppanyaki, "What's up with you and Teach?"

"Tell me something, Claude. If you fell for someone and they liked you back, wouldn't you want to spend time with them and show them plenty of affectionate and flirtatious behavior?" Sylvain asked the House Leader.

"Well falling for someone I know a lot about, quite literally actually." Claude said as he observed Petra from across the room.

Sylvain followed his eyes and gave the man a smirk, "Petra, really?"

"Ah, she's fun to be around, and she's not as uptight as the rest of the nobles here and she doesn't care for prejudices. I say she's quite the catch." Claude smiled, while taking a bite of his food.

"A princess of Brigid and the future Leader of the Leicester Alliance. That's quite the political connection. Would've been better had you been a prince or something like that." Sylvain joked.

Claude choked a little on his drink, cleaning his mess after he sputtered the liquid all over the table, "Ah damn, I'm sorry, Sylvain."

Sylvain chuckled, "By the Goddess, Riegen, I didn't think the comment would cause that reaction."

Claude sighed, "But back to your question, well that depends on the kind of girl I am. If I'm like Hilda for example, I would not hesitate to show you my liking towards you at all. If I'm like Leonie, I might hide my affection by being a bit standoffish. Or if I'm like Lysithea, I might be rude to you and then share a cake with you as an apology."

"What if you were Byleth, then?" Sylvain asked.

"Well, Teach is a bit stoic...a lot stoic actually. And while she's being a lot more human as of late, she still doesn't handle her emotions well. Like a baby or a small child experiencing new things, everything to her is unknown. Especially a skirt chaser flirting with her. She doesn't know how to handle it all." Claude provided his introspection with a wisdom that was uncommonly seen.

Sylvain contemplated the words he spoke for a moment before he gave his own thoughts, "It's just that...I...I love her Claude, I really do. I want to actually pursue her. Court her and…" Sylvain trailed off as his cheeks flushed a deep crimson, a genuine smile gracing his face.

Claude's eyes grew wide, "Wow, I mean, I've heard of men being changed by a girl's love but this is something else. I didn't think marriage was on the table for someone like yourself."

Sylvain sighed, "I can't get there unless she agrees to it. Which is why everything feels off. I don't know what I'm doing wrong."

"It's like I said, maybe she doesn't understand that you're being completely honest with her, or she just doesn't know what to do with herself. One of those has to be it." Claude said snapping his fingers, "And shouldn't you discuss this with her, you going to chase after her or what?"

Sylvain looked at him questioningly, "You really think that's a good idea?"

Claude let out a bark of laughter, "Hah! For the resident flirt here, you sure aren't the most romantic man I have ever seen. I swear this and you losing to Lorenz in the wooing department is probably the lowest performance I've ever seen."

"Don't remind me of that," Sylvain exhaled deeply, "Do you have any idea where she would have gone?"

Claude shrugged, "Beats me, I don't usually pine for her from a distance."

Sylvain smirked, and out of curiosity he looked at his friend with glint in his eye, "Have you ever?"

"Pine after Teach?" Claude asked with laughter growing in his chest, "While Teach is an exalted creature and is just as clever as me, she reminds me closer to a sister rather than a lover."

"Good to know." Sylvain nodded as he left Claude by himself in the Dining Hall, desperate to find Byleth.

Of course, she's in the Cathedral, her plate long abandoned on the ground and the building was largely empty with the exception of herself. She lingered near the Altar, her arms crossed in front of her, her stance stiff. He knew she could hear him approach her, as his footsteps echoed against the columns and stone walls. The only light was the dim candles down the aisle and the altar, as well as the moonlight filtering through the stained glass windows. It's aura radiating off of Byleth's mint green hair to give her almost a halo of heavenly glow. He was dazzled by her, everything about her stirred such strong emotions in him. He really didn't want to part from her once Graduation came around.

When he finally approached her, he walked towards her side, "It sure is lovely at night here, I should have known to have found you here."

Byleth mumbled, "Is that so?"

Sylvain chuckled, "Hehe, yeah, it's quiet and allows us to think about our place in the world here."

Byleth looked down to the ground, "I see."

Sylvain sighed deeply, "Professor...Byleth, I understand that you must be afraid to show your affections or receive mine, but you must know that I care about you."

Byleth glanced at him with soft eyes, "I am aware, you don't go a minute without showing me or telling me so."

Sylvain looked back at her with the same expression as hers, "Do you not believe me?"

Byleth exhaled, "It's not that, it's just...I've never experienced anything like this. I don't understand what to do and it's stressful to deal with."

Sylvain smiled at her as he reached for her hand, lightly brushing her fingertips, "Do you not remember what happened on our way back to the Monastery?"

Byleth hummed, her hand slowly enclosing around his, "I don't remember much other than falling asleep."

Sylvain nervously chortled, "Ah, that explains some things. Though now I must help you to remember."

Byleth looked at him in surprise, "Oh?"

Sylvain slowly interlaced their fingers, "Of course, since you know, I can't stop thinking about what you said."

Byleth raised an eyebrow, "What I said? What are you getting at?"

Sylvain looked at her, his warm brown gaze alighting a fire within Byleth, "If I remember correctly, you declared your love for me."

Byleth's eyes went wide in shock and horror, "I-I...wait what? I don't understand."

Sylvain snickered at her reaction, and leaned into her ear to say, "I love you for you, Syl."

Byleth gasped, her grip loosened, "But...It was a dream! You were there and you were...we were...Oh! I am so mortified!" She covered her eyes and face

Sylvain laughed heartily, tugging on her wrists to get her to uncover herself, "C'mon By, don't hide from me, please!"

"I feel like a fool! I wanted to say it when the time was right. Now I ruined it!" Byleth whined.

"Hehe, fool as you may be, at least you haven't been carrying on the last few weeks as if you got to say 'I love you' back." Sylvain admitted, hoping she would catch on.

Byleth stopped moving, her hands moved out of her face and she looked at Sylvain in earnest. He looked strangely nervous as he awaited her reaction, "...what did you say?"

Sylvain grasped both hands in his and kissed them tenderly, "I mean it, Byleth, I love you. Not like I would tell girls in passing or to get a rise out of them. I mean I love you, for who you are, as I assume you love me."

Byleth was speechless, she looked at him with her eyes glittering in the moon's glow, "You love me? Truly?"

Sylvain nodded, his eyes were serious, his jovial expression done away with. In its place, his face trembled in fear, as did his hands, "Yes, and you're not alone in being frightened. I'm scared too, scared I'll run you off. Scared my reputation is what's making you so nervous. Scared that you will never trust the words I say. I know I've been an ass and a jerk to the girls I've had in the past, and I know I was a coward to ask you out before the ball. There's nothing I can do to change my past, and I'm sorry for even behaving that way. I'm a cheater, a philanderer, but I know that no other girl compares to you. And I'd be a fool if I ever tossed you away. Plus I made a couple of promises to myself and to another if I ever pursued you. I hate making promises that I can't keep, so when I vow to make one, I'm in it for the long haul."

Byleth let her tears flow, they streamed down her cheeks. She believed him, against all better judgement, she did. She smiled brightly at him, "If you cheat on me, you'll pay dearly."

Sylvain chuckled, his own tears threatening to fall, "Well then, Byleth Eisner, I have to ask have I finally passed my probationary period?"

Byleth giggled, her eyes shining bright, "I suppose you have, you foolish man."

Sylvain was getting excited, "Well then can I ask you something then?"

Byleth looked at him expectantly, "You wish to have me as your girlfriend?"

Sylvain nodded, "But more importantly, I'd like something that leads to a more permanent situation for the both of us. So, Byleth, may I have the honor of courting you?"

Byleth's face flushed into a deep ruby red, "C-Courting? Doesn't that lead to…?"

Sylvain nervously played with her hands, as his eyes remained unmoved from her own, "Marriage? Why not? Unless you…"

Byleth shifted her feet back and forth, "I mean...I don't mind, but...wouldn't your family have a problem with me?"

"Huh? Why would they?" Sylvain asked.

"I'm a commoner, Sylvain," Byleth stated, "I don't have that much when it comes to titles and fortune."

"That never mattered to me, all I wanted in a partner was someone who could look past everything and love me for who I was, and whenever I see you look at me, I can tell you can see who I really am, flaws and all." Sylvain responded with confidence.

"And if your father protests?" Byleth asked.

"He can argue all he wants, but when I've denied every marriage request, he'll have no choice but to accept you." Sylvain looked undeterred. It reassured Byleth, as she grabbed his arm and embraced it tightly, nuzzling her head on his shoulder. Sylvain leaned his head down and snuggled closer to her.

"I hope you know, Byleth, you never answered my question." Sylvain remarked cheekily.

Byleth sighed softly, "As long as you keep your end of the bargain, I am yours, my love."

His heart leapt from his chest as he let go from her hold, looking her straight in the eyes, "My love?"

Byleth blushed slightly, "Is that okay? To call you that?"

Sylvain cupped her cheek amorously, "As long as I can say it back, my love."

Byleth glanced at his lips as her eyes lidded, "Yes you may call me that."

Sylvain must have been thinking the same thing, as his own gaze flicked to her pert lips, "Good, I'm glad." He leaned down and gave her a tender and passionate kiss to her lips. Byleth moved her lips with him in a shared rhythm, moaning and gasping as their desire for each other grew more and more. He gripped her tighter to himself, grasping her waist with one arm and her face with the other. While Byleth tugged at his uniform, slowly moving her hands up and down his torso.

Gasping for air, Sylvain touched his forehead to hers, rubbing her cheeks gently, "It seems a bit sacrilegious to get so hot and bothered in a holy place such as this."

Byleth chuckled, "If the Goddess gifted me her powers, there is nowhere for us to hide with her watching us always."

Sylvain laughed, "Too true. We should probably head to bed, Byleth. Would you like me to accompany you."

Byleth grabbed a hold of his arm, snuggling close, "Very much so, Sylvain."

As they walked out of the Cathedral, neither of them knew how much everything that would happen after this would change their lives forever...